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G. PLESSY. HANDLE FOR OPERA GLASSES.

No. 398,277. Patented-Feb. 19, 1889.

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BrABRIEL PLESSY, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

HANDLE FOFi creamer/asses.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 398,277, dated February 19, 1889. Application filed September 11, 1888. Serial No. 285,140. (No modcli) Patented in France August 3, 1888, No. 192,212.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GABRIEL PLEssY, a cit-izen of the French Republic, and residing at H Rue Oberkampf, Paris, in the Republic of France, have invented certain Improvements in Handles for Opera--Glasses and other Like Articles, (for which I have obtained Letters Patent in France dated August 3, 1888, No. 192,212,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to handles for operaglasses, binoculars, quizzingglasses, and other like articles or instruments; and the object of the invention is to construct a handle capable of being readily folded together, so as to occupy a small space, and of presenting great rigidity and firmness when opened for use.

The invention further relates to means for attaching the handle to opera-glasses of ordinary construction, as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in elevation an opera-glass provided with a folding handle according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showinthe handle in the open position. Fig. 3 is a plan showing the handle folded. Figs. 4. and 5 are enlarged details hereinafter described, and Figs. 6 and '7 illustrate a folding handle according to this invention constructed for use in combination with an ordi nary opera-glass.

The handle is constructed in two parts, A and B, connected by a double hinge-joint, a o which .lfari-ilitates the folding action. One of these partsnamely, the part A-which is grasped by the hand of the person using the opera-glass, is constri'icted of orplated with ivory, torto e-shell, leather, or other suitable material acting as a non-conductor of heat. The other part, ii, is made of metal in open or perforated work, or otherwise. This part, which may be varnished, nickel, gold, or silver plated, or otherwise decorated, is provided with a sliding piece, 0, which, when brought over the joint, as indicated in Fig. 4, renders the joint rigid and maintains the two parts of the handle in position, so that they act as one piece. By pushing the slide 0 along the part B, so as to clear the double joint, the part A is enabled to be folded against the parts B, as indicated in Fig. 3 and in dotted lines inFig. 2.

The part B may be hinged to the opera-glass, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3; but my present invention has also reference to the provision handle. This joint, which is free to move, in 7 this case is constructed with steps, which retai n the opera-glass in the required positions. With this object the metal part B of the handle provided with a circular groove, 0, Fig. 5, in which are riveted two pins, 6 and c, acting as stops, being arranged at an angle of ninety degrees. In this groove works a third pin, f, attached to the arm D, which pin is capable of moving bet veen the stops 6 6, against one or the other of which it bears, so as to maintain the opera-glass either in the open or closed position. However, for the existing opera-glasses of ordinary construction I provide the handle with a clamp. This clamp E, Figs. (1 and 7, is composed of a fork made in one with the metallic part B of the handle, the extremities of the parallel legs of the said fork being in the form of hooks (Z. A plate,

p, is capable of being caused to slide on this for]; by means of a screw, r, workin g in a nut connected to the said sliding plate which is provided with an extension or jaw,p", bent slightly outward, so as to act in concert with the hooks (I in clamping one of the sides or other suitable part of the (merit-glass.

I do not limit myself to the forms and di mensions of the improved handle illustrated in the drawings, in combination with an operaglass, and the said handle may be applied to or employed in combination with other articl es or instruments requirin a folding handle.

I claim as my invention 1. A handle for opera-glasscs, binoculars, and other articles or instruments, consisting of two parts with a double hinge, a a, 0011- In testimony whereoflhave signed my name nesting the two parts, and a sliding piece to to this specification in the presence of two subextend over and hold the double hinge when scribing Witnesses. in use, substantially as described. 5 2. The combination. of an opera-glass 01' like GABRIEL PLESSY.

instrument. with a handle having a clamp composed of hooks, a movable extension or jaw \Vitnesses: acting With said hooks to clamp the opem- LEON FRANOKEN, glass,and a thumb-screw to fasten the clamp, 47 Rue St. Sebastien.

IO as set forth. R. J. PRESTON. 

